Justice News

Federal Correctional Officer Indicted For Taking Bribes

Ocala, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces the return of an indictment charging Albert Larry Harris, Jr. (27, Lake County) with two counts of receipt of a bribe by a public official. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15years in federal prison on each count.

According to court documents, Harris works as a correctional officer in a penitentiary at the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman, Florida. In June 2017, he began providing inmates at the prison with contraband (drugs and tobacco products) in exchange for large cash payments. On August 22, 2017, Harris met with an undercover federal agent in Ocala and accepted a $5,000 bribe payment and 200 Suboxone strips for delivery to an inmate. Following the exchange, he was arrested.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Department of Justice - Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.